LES: Lesson - Using tener

Using tener

And now, let’s take a look at how we use the verb tener in our everyday conversations en español.

Examples Featuring tener

Below is a set of common phrases using tener. Take note of each template - you will see phrases like this often!

Uses of tener
Use of tener Example Sentences
Tener años
  • Yo tengo 34 años. – I am 34 years old. (Literally: I have 34 years)
  • ¿Cuántos años tienes? – How old are you?

Tener hambre
  • Tengo hambre. – I am hungry. (Literally: I have hunger)
  • ¿Tienes hambre? – Are you hungry?
    • Sí, tengo hambre. – Yes, I’m hungry.
    • No, no tengo hambre. – No, I’m not hungry.

Tener sed
  • Tengo sed. – I am thirsty. (Literally: I have thirst)
  • ¿Tienes sed? – Are you thirsty?
    • Sí, tengo sed. – Yes, I’m thirsty.
    • No, no tengo sed. – No, I’m not thirsty.

Tener miedo
  • Tengo miedo a las arañas. – I am scared of spiders. (Literally: I have a fear of spiders)

Tener sueño
  • Tengo sueño. – I am sleepy.
  • Tengo sueños. – I have dreams.

Tener prisa
  • Tengo prisa. – I am in a hurry.
  • Lo siento, tengo prisa. – I’m sorry, I am in a hurry.

Tener calor
  • Tengo calor. – I am hot.

Tener frío
  • Tengo frío. – I am cold.

Tener ganas de
  • Tengo ganas de ir al cine. – I feel like going to the movies.
  • Tengo ganas de bailar salsa. – I feel like dancing salsa.
  • Tengo ganas de hablar y estudiar español. – I feel like speaking and studying Spanish.
Tener dolor de
  • Tengo dolor de cabeza. – I have a headache.
  • Tengo dolor de estómago. – I have a stomachache.
  • Tengo dolor de muelas. – I have a toothache.

Video Lesson

A notebook and pen with ¡Toma apuntes! written on it.

The video below will cover more of how tener is used in Spanish. Notebook and writing utensils at the ready: ¡toma apuntes!

Use this video lesson to review these expressions and to practice pronunciation. Take notes and use these new expressions as you say, I am hungry, I am thirsty, I am cold … etc. You can only learn a language when you practice and say the words over and over. Practica tu español todos los días, es fácil.

Reminder: the speaker in this video uses a regional pronunciation of the Spanish LL sound. In our previous lesson, we learned that LL makes a y sound in Spanish: me llamo = me yamo. However, in some regional dialects of Spanish, the LL sound makes a sound closer to the English J sound: me llamo = me jamo. The narrator in the following video uses this alternate pronunciation.  For our course, you are expected to use the standard y pronunciation for LL.

Video credit: SpanishPod101: spanishpod101.com

A stick note with La actividad de práctica written on it.

Practice Activity

Was this video lesson helpful? Can you use the verb tener correctly?

Take a minute to see if you remember these expressions. You may want to create some sticky notes and place them around your room to help you use these phrases often.

NOTE: You are required to use information from this course to complete all practice activities. Additionally, fill-in-the-blank activities can be very particular: if an item is marked incorrect, double check that it wasn't something as minor as an extra space or a capital letter in the wrong place!

[CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Links to an external site.] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION - INTENDED ONLY FOR USE WITHIN LESSON.